Where did I overlook.... ?

Question

.. the application for genealogy vigilantes?
This is Yahoo answers. Not Burke's Peerage, not Daughter's of the American Revolution. People who come here, do so for help, not to be told that their question is stupid, doesn't meet someone elses standards, or wastes their time. Persons looking for living relatives are not stalkers. Beginners who show an interest in their surname might go on to research... depending on how they are treated here.
Yahoo is perfectly capable of determining whether a question is acceptable and meets THEIR standards. Respecting other persons is the most important guideline here, and racking up points by being patronizing, and RUNNING OFF OTHER PERSONS by doing so, is ridiculous. You lose NO points for someone who inadvertantly miscategorizes. Constant insults to others is abuse, in my opinion.
The point of being here is to HELP other persons. I'll spend 5 points to make that statement...

lol.. attadumpy, look at your own "how come all the questions are so BORING"...
you have just proved my point. Count up how many times I have told anyone "that isn't genealogy" "you don't belong her" and... oh wait, that's not me. So glad YOU consider that to be polite.

Answer 1

Have you got a cob on or what, who's upset your apple cart tonight. I had a look through the answers you give over the last few days , you was really abrasive to someone on here, if someones had a go at ya report them to yahoo,but if you cant take it then you shouldn't dish it out either. I have noticed that all you over the pond stick together. Some of the other so called" genealogists" are so arrogant and rude to say the least. I don't know of many of the British "genealogists", but there are two that come straight to mind, its justme and mcfifi they are excellent and really polite and helpful, its justme even sends the documents to you that she has printed and she doesn't ask for the money either for printing it or posting it, if you send emails to the genealogists over here you always get a reply and the help you need, but i have sent emails to two people on your list and they don't bother to reply. Granny toad is a cool lady we all love her she rocks, and we in Manchester send her love and kisses. I think if you cant give a nice polite answer on YAHOO then you should do us all a favour and take your name off the membership, thats meant for every person who reads this answer, and is thinking of being abusive towards me. Just remember it wasn't me who upset wendy c, at least I dont think so anyway. Goodnight, I feel a load of violations coming on.

Answer 2

I feel the same way Wendy. Many people don't know that coats of arms are a crock, or that there is more to finding out about their genealogy than simply knowing the origin of a name. I further agree that people looking for a relative are not stalkers. I believe that there is an incredible pool of talent held cumulatively by the group of people that frequent this board. I don't believe that one has to be a "certified" genealogist to claim that they have knowledge of genealogy.

I used to answer more questions than I do currently and I admit that part of the reason is because of the meanness of some people. I wouldn't dream of making a personal insult to any one person. I came to Answers to have a little fun and to learn a little myself in the process. I enjoy learning about different lineages, custom, and traditions.

I'd also like to take a moment to say how much I appreciate the answers you give. You put a lot of thought into the content of your answers. I also appreciate Ted, Genevieve's mom, RustSKIPPER, as well as some of the newer people...Mitchell comes to mind. There are others too but their names escape me. If this board can rid itself of the nastiness, bitterness, and catiness (Is that a word? Ha! Ha!) I'm sure that word would get out about answers being a great place to post a general genealogy question. After all, you can't keep greatness a secret!

Just remember when people insult other people it is because they lack something of charcater to say. Take care.

I also give two thumbs up to itsjustme, seraph 1818 and grannytoad as well. It's hard to think of everyones name when formulating an answer. The bottom line is that the ones who deserve the praise and thanks are not the ones seeking it out.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you. I always had an interest in the meaning of some surnames in my family myself. As it turns out, one of them has a direct meaning to my family history. This is not necessarily the case.

As for the request for family crests, long ago I bought a certificate of one of my family surnames from a kiosk in Boston. I knew it wasn't actually my family at the time, but thought it was interesting. How did I know that this wasn't my family info? Well, not many people from small villages in eastern Europe would be of royal stock. Also, the fact that the crest had a boar included in it would be a major clue, when pork would not be the food of choice for a Jewish family. (grin)

So, I can understand the interest in the surname, family crest, etc. I do think that explaining that although interesting, it may not have any bearing on one's family tree is an acceptable response, though.

Also, I have included the definition of genealogy at the bottom of some of my responses, which I do think is appropriate. There are many younger folks asking these questions and they do not necessarily know the meaning of the word genealogy.

I do think that this is one of those categories that some people are not all that familiar with and feel there should be a way of posting something permanently at the top of this particular category explaining what types of things people in this category are researching.

Maybe there should be a "Lost and Found" section on Yahoo! ??? This would allow folks looking for long lost relatives to direct questions there.

The bottom line is that we all have the choice to answer questions or not. There are questions I rarely answer and other types that I answer on a regular basis.

I really think that some people tend to forget that we are all real people out here and reply in ways they might not, if they had to talk to the person in 'real life'.

Overall people do seem to be polite, but others do seem to get their kicks out of belittling the poster or in some cases the responder.

Answer 4

When I first started on Yahoo Answers it was from the Yahoo Answers Home Page and then I gradually saw the categories under the questions and I went to them.

A lot of people ask their question from the Yahoo Answers Home Page and Yahoo's system picks out the category. A person can change the category but probably most people are not looking at the categories at all. they are just looking for an answer to their question. Yahoo apparently has surnames, coats of arms and crest to go to genealogy.

Also a person might have a specific reason for asking a question on this board and they don't have to explain what their reason is. All they want is a courteous reply from someone who can answer the question.

I originally spent a lot of time on the Religion and Spirituality Board and it is amazing the things people will do when they are anonymous. I have wondered if their religion teaches them to have compassion for someone who might have disabilities, learning,visual, spelling, or just the ability to express themselves. I know that issue is very subjective to all of us, but a lot of the people do not gain respect for their religion by the way they behave.

Answer 5

Here,Here Wendy C. I agree we should foster the New Seed of interest when people new to Genealogy approach us for answers,even if they are at the basic points of Genealogy.
We all have to start somewhere. Better to be civil and Nice to people then cruel and hateful even if the question is aggravating and simple :)

Answer 6

I rather favored it! It took me a while to discover a rhythm where I can learn it - however it is fantastically written. You have an overly fine option of phrases and it additionally sounds lovely well.

Answer 7

Nice rant. Anything in particular set you off?